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United States/Mexico Bi-National Drug Strategy
Strategy Component
Alliance Point 6: Identify sources of and deter illegal traffic
in firearms.
Both countries recognize that illegal traffic in firearms is an international
problem that has serious consequences in both countries. The United States
and Mexico have therefore made considerable efforts to coordinate and exchange
information, with a view to discerning trends in this illegal activity,
which occurs in the territory of both nations.
They will also continue consultations aimed at strengthening information
exchange to detect and arrest criminals who provide firearms to drug traffickers,
and will consider carrying out coordinated activities in their own territory
with firearms trafficking control authorities.
Objectives
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Enhance efforts to interdict illegally trafficked firearms between the
two countries, including those firearms linked with drug trafficking organizations.
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Strengthen capacities in each country to detect and combat illegal arms
trafficking.
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Examine mechanisms to exchange strategic information between responsible
agencies to detect trends, routes, and procedures.
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Increase efforts to develop and exchange strategic information about illegal
arms trafficking.
Actions
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The Governments of Mexico and the United States will endeavor to increase
investigations and exchange of information, with the objective of detecting
and detaining criminals that provide firearms to drug traffickers.
1.1 Both governments will initiate a program to exchange strategic
information on trends, routes, and methods of criminal organizations linked
to illicit firearms trafficking.
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The Governments of Mexico and the United States will initiate a coordinated
effort to identify and prosecute individuals who illegally traffic firearms
between the two countries.
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The United States will provide training to Mexican Customs and other appropriate
police officials relating to the interdiction of illegally trafficked firearms.
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The Governments of Mexico and the United States will exchange relevant
information, in conformity with domestic laws, on domestic actions taken
against those involved in illegal international firearms trafficking, and
implement coordinated actions in each nation’s respective territory among
agencies involved in the fight against illegal firearms trafficking.
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The Governments of Mexico and the United States will work to enhance the
process of tracing firearms recovered at Mexican crime scenes.
5.1 The United States will provide training and technical assistance
to the appropriate Mexican authorities in crime gun tracing, serial number
restoration, and firearms trafficking investigative techniques.
5.2 Both governments will take steps to enhance the scope of training
and technical assistance through mechanisms such as "train the trainer"
programs and materials to supplement instructor training.
5.3 Both governments will work to improve the process through
which crime gun traces are requested. Such efforts may include using software
developed by ATF that allows Mexico to send more accurate crime gun trace
requests and, if possible, send them electronically.
5.4 Both governments will establish a program for the periodic
exchange of information on the tracing of crime guns.
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The Governments of Mexico and the United States will work to enhance information
exchange and coordination in joint investigations.
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The Firearms Trafficking Working Group of the High Level Contact Group
will study whether firearms being legally exported are being diverted to
black markets, including use by drug traffickers.
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The United States Government agrees to reduce the period for export licenses
for firearms and munitions from four years to one year.
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